Gardening - Q&A: Pruning Purple Sage

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Q&A: Pruning Purple Sage

Question: Should I trim my three large purple sage bushes now (in the fall), or wait until spring? Can I harvest some of the sage now for drying?

Answer: Sage benefits from spring pruning to remove old growth and any branches that were damaged during the winter. You may find that the bushes become less productive after a few years, and need to be replaced. If you want to harvest the leaves for drying, it is best to cut them in early summer, just before the flower buds appear. However, you can certainly cut some now for use over the winter. Tie the stems in bundles and hang them upside-down in a shaded, well-ventilated place. When dry, rub off the leaves and store them in air-tight containers.

Content provided by the National Gardening Association